ECOFER: Next Generation Slag and Mineral Processing Technology

2026-07-22

Steelmaking is one of the most important and energy intensive industries globally. Until now the repurposing of steelmaking slag, the main production by-product, has remained low-value, incomplete and has an enormous environmental impact. Ecofer, an Estonian cleantech company, has developed next generation slag processing technology, which processes the steelmaking slag completely and increases the value slag over 20 times. This is achieved by recovering 99% of Fe-metal, and providing first technology to separating metal oxides and heavy metals from the slag. The technology is based on proprietary and cutting-edge screening, crushing, milling, fractioning and magnetic separation processes. The technology will generate new growth and market opportunities for the steelmaking industry, as the low-value of steelmaking slag has been a major industry pain-point for decades. Moreover, Ecofer technology directly supports the lowering CO2 emissions – each ton of repurposed steelmaking slag saves one in ton of CO2 emission, reduces the need for virgin material and provides technology for zero-waste steelmaking. Ecofer already signed piloting and commercial pre-agreements with large-scale steel-mills from Europe and Middle-East. During the feasibility study Ecofer will: • Update the route-to-market strategy and business plan; • Conduct a freedom-to-operate study; • Conduct pilot line manufacturability study. As a result of the Phase-1 study Ecofer is ready for entering final development and market uptake phase, as well fully prepared for SMEI Phase-2.

Estonia

2026-02-01